Designer Martine Rose took to the podium tonight, September 5, at the ELLE Style Awards to accept her Culture Shifter Award.
Wearing sharply tailored trousers, a lace cami top and clutching a shaggy lilac faux fur bag, the British-Jamaican creative thanked England Captain Leah Williamson for presenting the award.
Rose expressed her 'sincerest love and thanks,' and told the guests in Old Sessions House that she was 'full of gratitude and love'.
As a former Fashion East member, consultant to Balenciaga under Demna Gvesalia, and Nike collaborator the South London-born creative has more than earned her award, using her collections to speak to rave and sporting fan culture in the UK.
Rose - largely a menswear designer, but not exclusively - is at the forefront of fashion's embrace of football, with cleat-like trainers and football shirts appearing frequently in her collections. Rose told Showstudio that football, 'highlights the power of youth culture. It can change politics, it's very powerful.'
It was apt then, that lead Lioness Williamson was the one to present the award, explaining to everyone: 'The first time I worked with Martine, it was 2021, it was a campaign she redesigned, the England shirt. The shirt itself was vibe-y as ever but the campaign told the story of the lost Lionesses and really revisited the history and journey that women had been on in women's football.' She added: 'I felt instantly grateful to have been connected with this genius.'
Williamson concluded by applauding the designer's commitment to creating gender fluid clothing. 'There is a story behind everything that she does which I think is the most special. She creates collections that optimise the egalitarian mindset and is a leader that we should all follow suit, and endorses individualism.'
The award was sponsored by Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts (CSVPA), a school dedicated to giving people the tools they need to achieve creative excellence, just like Rose has. 'We challenge the status quo and encourage innovative thinking, ensuring that our graduates are well-equipped to navigate a rapidly evolving creative landscape,' says a spokesperson from the CSVPA.
Williamson and Rose were joined by the fashion industry's most inspiring and creative designers, models and talent for the night, celebrating all things innovative and joyful over glasses of Moët & Chandon.
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
